Job Discussion Forums

Old_Liz · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

What - in your honest opinion - would be the best and the worst European cities/countries to work in, for a late 50's single-again woman who will be finishing her CELTA at the end of September?

From what I have read, some cities eg Prague are very much the province of the young backpacking crowd; is there any particular place (other than the pub!) which attracts an older crowd?

I've worked overseas in Europe and the Middle East, just not in language teaching. I have to admit that southern Europe tempts me more than does central or northern Europe.

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

And do you have a citizenship from an EU member country? Since you said you've worked in Europe, you may very well do.

If not, the 'older' EU member countries are probably out for you, since you can't work legally.

I have to agree with you about Prague, and maybe extend that to most of Central/Eastern Europe. Not that all the teachers are young, but that the pay is relatively low, and if you're looking for a place to stay a while, unless you've got supplemental income, it's probably not the ideal region.

If you're legal to work in the EU, I think you could probably find lots of places just a bit off the beaten track in the South of Europe. My personal experience is that the youngsters tend to want big city locations, for pubbing and etc.

One other piece of advice: you might consider taking that CELTA in the country where you want to start teaching. This can give you a leg up in several ways: your practice teaching students will realistically represent the students you'll be starting with. You can make local contacts who can be helpful when you need to line up jobs and housing. And, you get a chance to 'try out' a city before commiting yourself to it in terms of job and housing contracts.

Old_Liz · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

I have a UK passport and I am doing the CELTA part-time while still working here in Sydney. My current employers (who seem to feel guilty about my job ending) are paying the fees.

I appreciate the suggestion of doing CELTA in a place where I am attracted to start teaching - I would have chosen to do it in Portugal or northern Italy - but given the circumstances, it was too good an offer to refuse.

Southern Europe definitely seems a possibility, then. I like smallish towns and cities - the attraction of big city pubbing and clubbing has worn off rather by now ...

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

I can relate. I also see now why not CELTA in Europe.
Best of luck finding a copacetic small venue!
I'd recommend Croatia, but, again salaries are very low....

Old_Liz · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

Any suggestions, then, where COL is bearable and pay is acceptable? I have not been back to Europe for over ten years ...

I have a strong business and scientific background, and have done copy-editing for a historian's (non-native-speaker, work translated by himself) research papers which have appeared in OUP academic journals. I'd like to do more of that sort of thing - I found it interesting and educational, if not hugely profitable for the time it takes.

I suppose with my business and scientific background, an industrial city would probably be the obvious place to head for - although I'd prefer a more rural/small town environment.

All suggestions welcome - I have no prejudice against any country except cold and wet ones!

grahamb · Joined: 30 Apr 2003 Posts: 1945

Southern Spain sounds like the place for you. It's cold (and often wet) in the north and centre in winter.

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

Plenty of research being done in Italy and many, many respected universities. Near where I live we have the University of Camerino (medical / vet), University of Ancona (medical / engineering), University of Bologna etc. But most people would want their research translated rather than just edited.

Teacher salaries on the low side, but some good rural, peaceful locations.

Old_Liz · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

Istanbul. I have heard that there is other work available too (editing. proof-reading etc)

Old_Liz · Joined: 11 Jun 2007 Posts: 14

I had thought vaguely of Istanbul, I have to admit. But it's too big a city to really interest me.

Lots and lots of very dodgy sounding schools out there, as well. Sorting the wheat from the chaff would be a full-time job in itself, methinks.